HB 476 – Broadband Consumer Protection

HB 476 – Broadband Consumer Protection

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Ben Moss, Jr. (R-Montgomery, Richmond, Stanly); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly); Rep. Raymond Smith, Jr. (D-Sampson, Wayne); Rep. Howard Penny, Jr. (R-Harnett)

Summary

This bill authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to oversee broadband services and directs the Commission to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement effective oversight.

This bill also requires the Commission to conduct evaluations and audits of facilities and infrastructure used to provide broadband services with respect to areas of public safety, resiliency, and any other area the Commission deems relevant to achieve standards of resiliency, quality, public safety, and affordability.

Movement

Filed – 3/31/2021

 


HB 473 – Revise Laws/Safe Surrender/Infants

HB 473 – Revise Laws/Safe Surrender/Infants

Primary House Sponsors: Rep Donna White (R-Johnston); Rep. John Bradford, III (R-Mecklenburg); Rep. Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance)

Summary

This bill:

  • Identifies the categories of individuals, including a health care provider who is on duty or at a hospital, local/district health department, or nonprofit community health center, who must take into temporary custody an infant reasonably believed to be under 7 days of age that is voluntarily delivered to the individual by the infant’s parent who does not express an intent to return.
  • Requires any individual who takes an infant into temporary custody to perform any act necessary to protect the physical health and well-being of the infant and notify the department of social services in the county where the infant is surrendered.
  • Provides immunity for any individual to whom an infant was surrendered from any civil or criminal liability.
  • Identifies certain information related to the infant as confidential.
  • Describes the required response of any director of a department of social services who receives a safely surrendered infant.
  • States the rights of the surrendering parent.
  • Requires DHHS to create and distribute information about infant safe surrender and the rights of parents.

Movement

Filed – 3/31/2021


HB 470 – Medicaid Expansion

HB 470 – Medicaid Expansion

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Charles Graham (D-Robeson); Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange); Rep. Garland Pierce (D-Hoke, Scotland); Rep. Raymond Smith, Jr. (D-Sampson, Wayne)

Summary

This bill:

  • Deems individuals part of the Medicaid coverage gap and eligible for Medicaid benefits if all of the following requirements are met: (1) the individual has a modified adjusted gross income that is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level; (2) the individual is between the ages of 19 and 65; (3) the individual is not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare benefits under part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act; and (4) the individual is not otherwise eligible for Medicaid coverage as it existed on January 1, 2020.
  • Requires DHHS to provide benefits to eligible beneficiaries in the Medicaid coverage gap through an Alternative Benefit Plan unless that beneficiary is exempt from mandatory enrollment under federal law.
  • Requires copayments for benefits provided under the Alternative Benefit Plan to be the same as copayments required for Medicaid beneficiaries not under the Plan.
  • Requires DHHS to provide coverage for individuals deemed to be part of the Medicaid coverage gap.
  • States that it is the General Assembly’s intent to impose a Medicaid Coverage Gap Assessment that will pay for the State share of the costs associated with Medicaid expansion upon hospital providers paying the supplemental assessment or base assessment required by the Hospital Assessment Act.

Movement

Filed – 3/31/2021


HB 468 – Establish Surgical Technology Standards

HB 468 – Establish Surgical Technology Standards

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston); Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly)

Summary

This bill:

  • Establishes standards for surgical technology care applicable to hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities.
  • Sets out a series of definitions, including for the terms “surgical technologist” and “surgical technology”.
  • Prohibits hospitals from employing or otherwise contracting with a surgical technologist unless the technologist meets a minimum of the following qualifications: (1) provides evidence of successful completion of an accredited training program and holds and maintains the Certified Surgical Technologist credential issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting; (2) provides evidence of successful completion of an appropriate training program for surgical technology in the US military or the US Public Health Services; or (3) provides documentation of employment to practice surgical technology in a licensed hospital or ambulatory surgical facility on, or during the 3 year immediately preceding December 31, 2019.
  • Authorizes a hospital to employ or contract with an individual to practice surgical technology during the 12-month period immediately following successful completion of an accredited educational program but prohibits further employment without documentation that the required credential has been obtained.
  • Specifies continuing education requirements.

Movement

Filed – 3/31/2021


HB 467 – Allow Flexible Smoking Policies/ECU

HB 467 – Allow Flexible Smoking Policies/ECU

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston); Rep. Kandie Smith (D-Pitt); Rep. Joe John (D-Wake)

 

Summary

This bill amends several definitions within a statute providing for the regulation of smoking in public places. The bill specifically expands the terms “smoke, smokes, or smoking” to include the use or possession of a vapor product and, for East Carolina University only, modifies the definition of “grounds,” to mean any area located and controlled by that constituent institution.

Movement

Filed – 3/31/2021

 


SB 443 – Safe Drinking Water Act

SB 443 – Safe Drinking Water Act

Primary House Sponsors: Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake); Sen. Deandrea Salvador (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Kirk deViere (D-Cumberland)

 

Summary

This bill requires the Commission for Public Health to commence rulemaking to establish maximum contaminant levels for probable or known carcinogens and other toxic chemicals likely to pose a substantial hazard to public health.

This bill also appropriates $6M in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to DHHS to support this effort.

Movement

Filed – 3/31/2021


SB 442 – Funds for Veterans/HBOT

SB 442 – Funds for Veterans/HBOT

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Don Davis (D-Greene, Pitt)

Summary

This bill appropriates $150,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Office of State Budget and Management to provide a grant to the Community Foundation of NC East, Inc., to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment to veterans with a diagnosis of TBI or PTSD.

Movement

Filed – 3/31/2021


SB 419 – Capital & Campus Projects-NCCU

SB 419 – Capital & Campus Projects-NCCU

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Dan Blue (D-Wake)

Summary

This bill provides a series of appropriations to fund capital improvements and other projects at NC Central University, including $500K for the purchase of laboratory equipment for the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise and the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute and $4M to support the expansion of the doctoral program in integrated biosciences focusing on health disparities in underrepresented populations.

Movement

Filed – 3/31/2021

 


SB 407 – Compact to Award Prizes for Curing Diseases

SB 407 – Compact to Award Prizes for Curing Diseases

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)

Summary

This bill states that the Solemn Covenant of States Commission (Commission) will be established once six states have enacted the Solemn Covenant of the States to Award Prizes for Curing Diseases Compact (Compact).

This bill also specifies requirements regarding the Commission’s membership, powers, meeting and voting, bylaws, rulemaking authority, finances, and records.

Powers of the Commission include: (1) the ability to adopt bylaws and rules with the force and effect of law in the compacting state; (2) the ability to receive and review treatments and therapeutic protocols for the cure of disease submitted to the Commission and to award prizes for submissions that meet the Commission’s standards for a successful cure treatment or therapeutic protocol; (3) to make widely available a cure treatment or therapeutic protocol upon a prize winner claiming a prize and transferring any intellectual property necessary for the manufacture and distribution of the cure; and (4) to establish a selling price for the cure.

This bill also notes that no decision of the Commission with respect to the approval of an award for a treatment or therapeutic process for the cure of a disease shall be effective unless two-thirds of the Commission members vote in favor thereof.

This bill requires the Commission to adopt rules as necessary to (1) govern the methods, processes, and any other aspect of the research, creation, and testing of a treatment or therapeutic protocol for each disease for which a prize may be awarded; (2) establish the criteria for defining and classifying the diseases for which prizes shall be awarded; (3) provide a process for Commission review of submitted treatments and therapeutic protocols for curing diseases; and (4) establish a dispute resolution process.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 415 – Greater Transparency in Health Care Billing

SB 415 – Greater Transparency in Health Care Billing

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Yancey); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee)

Summary

This bill:

  • Sets out a series of defined terms.
  • Amends current statutory language regarding services by outside provider networks by requiring the insurer, following notice from the insured, to determine whether a health care provider able to meet the needs of the insured as reasonably available to the insured without unreasonable delay based upon the insured’s location and specific medical needs.
  • Requires the amount allowed for services provided under the amended language to be calculated using a statutory benchmark amount, unless otherwise agreed to by the health care provider and the insurer.
  • Prohibits healthcare providers from requiring an insured to pay an amount in excess of the applicable payment under statute prior to services being rendered to the insured.
  • Establishes a statutory benchmark amount presumed to be a reasonable total payment for services provided by a health care provider outside an insurer’s health care provider network or for emergency care services.
  • Prohibits health service facilities and healthcare providers from collecting an amount for services and excess of the statutory benchmark unless the insurer does not have contracted health care providers or health services facilities in its health care provider network that are able to meet the needs of the insured and that are reasonably available to the insured without unreasonable delay.
  • Requires health services facilities contracting with providers that do not participate in an insurer's health care provider network to require the non-participating health care providers to comply with the billing and collections practices established by statute.
  • Requires health care providers that do not participate in the insurer’s health care provider network to include a statement on any billing notice to an insured that the insured is not responsible for paying any more than the applicable in network deductible, co-payment, or co-insurance amounts and has no legal obligation to pay any remaining balance in excess of the statutory benchmark amount.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 411 – Prescription Drug Pricing

SB 411 – Prescription Drug Pricing

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Sarah Crawford (D-Franklin, Wake); Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Paul Lowe, Jr. (D-Forsyth)

Summary

This bill establishes The Prescription Drug Transparency Act. This bill:

  • Sets out a list of defined terms.
  • Requires drug manufacturers to notify all interested parties of an pending substantial price increase at least 60 days prior to the increase.
  • Requires manufacturers to disclose the following within 30 days of the notice of an upcoming price increase: (1) a justification for the proposed price increase; (2) the previous year’s marketing budget for the drug; (3) the date and price of acquisition if the drug was not developed by the manufacturer; and (4) a schedule of price increases for the drug for the previous five years.
  • Requires drug manufacturers to notify all interested parties of the price of any new prescription drug within three days after the manufacturer receives approval by the U. S. Food and Drug administration.
  • Requires manufacturers, or the agent of a manufacturer, to disclose to prescribers if any ingredient in the drug being marketed is known to pose a risk of dependency.
  • Authorizes the DHHS Secretary to assess a civil penalty against any manufacturer that fails to report the required information.
  • Requires the DHHS Secretary to develop plan to collect data from manufacturers related to the cost and pricing of prescription drugs in order to provide transparency in and accountability for prescription drug pricing.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 408 – Stop Addiction Fraud Ethics Act of 2021

SB 408 – Stop Addiction Fraud Ethics Act of 2021

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)

Summary

This bill:

  • Requires any marketing or advertising materials published or provided by any treatment provider, treatment facility, recovery residence, or third party providing services to any treatment provider, treatment facility, or recovery residence to convey accurate and complete information in easily understand language.
  • Requires the materials to include: (1) information about the types and methods of services provided or used, an information about where they are provided; (2) the average length of stay at the treatment facility during the preceding 12 month period; (3) the treatment facility’s name and brand; and (4) a brief summary of any financial relationships between the treatment facility and any publisher of marketing or advertising.
  • Requires operators of a recovery residence or licensed residential treatment facility that also provides separately licensed outpatient substance use disorder services to clearly label each facility and service separately in any marketing or advertisements.
  • Prohibits any treatment provider, treatment facility, recovery residence, or third party providing services to those entities from: (1) making a materially false or misleading statement about the nature, identity, or location of substance use disorder treatment services or a recovery residence and (2) making a false or misleading statement about the treatment provider’s status as an in-network or out-of-network provider, the qualifications of persons providing treatment or services, or the recovery rate.
  • Prohibits any person or entity from: (1) providing, or directing another to provide, false or misleading information about the identity of, or contact information for, any treatment provider; (2) including false or misleading information about the website of any treatment provider; (3) suggesting or implying a relationship with the treatment provider exists, unless there is consent to such a relationship; and (4) making a materially false or misleading statement about substance use disorder treatment services.
  • Makes it a class G felony for any person or entity to: (1) offer or pay anything of value or engage in any split fee arrangement to induce the referral of a patron to or from a treatment provider or laboratory; (2) solicit or receive anything of value, or engage in any split fee arrangement, in return for referring a patient to or from a treatment provider or laboratory; (3) solicit or receive anything of value, or engage in any split fee arrangement, in return for the acceptance or acknowledgement of treatment from a health care provider or health care facility; or (4) aid or abet any conduct that violates these provisions.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021

 


SB 405 – Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

SB 405 – Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Lisa Barnes (R-Johnston, Nash); Sen. Amy Galey (R-Alamance, Guilford)

Summary

This bill establishes the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This bill:

  • Defines the term “born alive”.
  • Requires any healthcare provider present at the time a child is born alive following an abortion or an attempt to perform an abortion to: (1) exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure that the child born alive is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital.
  • Requires a health care practitioner or any hospital, physician office, or abortion clinic employee with knowledge of noncompliance to immediately report the noncompliance to an appropriate state or federal law enforcement agency.
  • Makes any person who intentionally performs or attempts to perform an overt at that kills a child born alive punishable for murder under a Class A felony.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 404 – A Second Chance for LIFE

SB 404 – A Second Chance for LIFE

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Lisa Barnes (R-Johnston, Nash); Sen. Amy Galey (R-Alamance, Guilford)

Summary

This bill:

  • Requires DHHS to publish and make available printed materials designed to inform women about the possibility of reversing a drug induced abortion.
  • Requires physicians who prescribe, dispense, or otherwise provide any drug or chemical for the purpose of inducing an abortion to give the patient written information made available by DHHS regarding the possibility of reversing a drug induced abortion immediately after administering the first drug or chemical for the purpose of inducing an abortion in order for consent to an abortion to be considered voluntary and informed.
  • Requires the woman who received an abortion to certify, in writing, that she has been provided with the specified information and informed of her opportunity to review the same.
  • Makes it a Class 1 felony to administer or prescribe or advise and procure for a pregnant woman to take any medication or anything whatsoever with the intent to procure an abortion or use any instrument for the same purpose.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 402 – Close the Medicaid Coverage Gap

SB 402 – Close the Medicaid Coverage Gap

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford); Sen. Ben Clark (D-Cumberland, Hoke)

 

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Deems individuals part of the Medicaid coverage gap and eligible for Medicaid benefits if all of the following requirements are met: (1) the individual has a modified adjusted gross income that is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level; (2) the individual is between the ages of 19 and 65; (3) the individual is not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare benefits under part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act; and (4) the individual is not otherwise eligible for Medicaid coverage as it existed on January 1, 2020.
  • Requires DHHS to provide benefits to eligible beneficiaries in the Medicaid coverage gap through an Alternative Benefit Plan unless that beneficiary is exempt from mandatory enrollment under federal law.
  • Requires copayments for benefits provided under the Alternative Benefit Plan to be the same as copayments required for Medicaid beneficiaries not under the Plan.
  • Requires DHHS to provide coverage for individuals deemed to be part of the Medicaid coverage gap.
  • Provides that the cost associated with providing coverage to qualified individuals in the Medicaid coverage gap shall be funded with federal funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021

 


SB 400 – Restore Benefits to Educators/State Employees

SB 400 – Restore Benefits to Educators/State Employees

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake)

Summary

This bill restores retiree medical benefits for members first earning service under the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System on or after January 1, 2021 by repealing subsections (c) and (d) of Section 35.21 of S.L. 2017-57.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 399 – Essential Health Benefits/Association Health Plans

SB 399 – Essential Health Benefits/Association Health Plans

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake); Sen. Sarah Crawford (D-Franklin, Wake); Sen. deViere (D-Cumberland)

Summary

This bill requires any group health plan offered by a sponsoring association to provide coverage for the essential health benefits listed in 42 U.S.C. Section § 18022(b) (ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, laboratory services, preventative and wellness services and chronic disease management, and pediatric services).

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 396/HB 450 – Equality for All

SB 396/HB 450 – Equality for All

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Wiley Nickel (D-Wake)

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Vernetta Alston (D-Durham); Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford); Rep. Susan Fisher (D-Buncombe)

Summary

This bill provides a series of provisions establishing nondiscrimination protections related to housing, employment, public accommodations, lending practices, insurance, education, and jury service. This bill specifically prohibits an insurer from refusing to insure, or refuse to continue to insure, an individual, limit coverage, or charge a different rate for the same coverage because of the individual’s race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

Movement

SB 396

Filed – 3/30/2021

HB 450

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 394 – HBCU Programs/Project Funds

SB 394 – HBCU Programs/Project Funds

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford); Sen. Paul Lowe, Jr. (D-Forsyth); Sen. Ben Clark (D-Cumberland, Hoke)

Summary

This bill makes a series of appropriations to constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina designated as historically black colleges and universities, including an appropriation of $2M in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina to be allocated to North Carolina Central University to support the expansion of its doctoral program in integrated biosciences focusing on health disparities in underrepresented populations.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 393 – Analysis Doula Supp. Services/Medicaid Coverage

SB 393 – Analysis Doula Supp. Services/Medicaid Coverage

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg)

Summary

This bill requires DHHS to conduct a statewide landscape analysis of doula support services in order to inform the development of insurance coverage and reimbursement policies for doula support services in the state.

This bill requires the following factors to be considered in the analysis: 1) the availability of doulas and doula services across the state; 2) the demographic and training background diversity of providers of doula services; 3 the standards for the attestation, training, and certification; and 4) practical options for health benefit plan policies to include coverage for doula support services during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period as part of value-based payments, enhanced reimbursements , or as value-added services.

Following completion of this analysis, this bill requires the Division of Public Health to 1) partner with doula training programs and childbirth education organizations to help set standards for the attestation, training, and certification of doulas in North Carolina; 2) develop doula services coverage and reimbursement options for consideration by commercial insurers; 3) develop bills standards for the provision of doula services; and 4) create a statewide directory of providers offering doula support services.

This bill also requires the Division of Health Benefits to submit a State Plan amendment adding coverage under Medicaid for antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum services provided by a doula and appropriates $500K to the Division in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to be used to make necessary changes to the NCTracks system to add coverage for doula services.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


SB 392/HB 452 – Mental Health Protection Act

SB 392/HB 452 – Mental Health Protection Act

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake); Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham)

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Susan Fisher (D-Buncombe); Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover); Rep. Allison Dahle (D-Wake); Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford)

Summary

This bill enacts the Mental Health Protection Act. This bill also:

  • Prohibits licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical mental health counselors, licensed psychiatrists, and licensed psychologists from engaging in conversion therapy with an individual under age 18 or an adult who has a disability.
  • Defines “conversion therapy.”
  • Deems conversion therapy practiced by those categories of professionals as unprofessional conduct and makes the professional subject to discipline.
  • Prohibits the use of state funds for conducting conversion therapy, referring an individual for conversion therapy, providing health benefits coverage for conversion therapy, or contracting with any entity that conducts conversion therapy or refers individuals for conversion therapy.

Movement

SB 391

Filed – 3/30/2021

HB 383

Filed – 3/30/2021

 


HB 462 – Funds/OIC Give Mobile Vaccinations

HB 462 – Funds/OIC Give Mobile Vaccinations

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Shelly Willingham (D-Edgecombe, Martin)

 

Summary

This bill appropriates $500K for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization, to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations directly to underserved communities in Nash and Edgecombe counties.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


HB 458 – Food Desert Agriculture Incentive Zones

HB 458 – Food Desert Agriculture Incentive Zones

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Terry Brown, Jr. (D- Mecklenburg); Rep. Robert Reiver, II (D-Chatham, Durham); Rep. Mark Brody (R-Anson, Union); Rep. Vernetta Alston (D-Durham)

Summary

This bill establishes the North Carolina Food Desert Agriculture Grant Fund and provides that the Fund must be used to encourage agricultural production and availability in food deserts zones in the State.

This bill also appropriates $500K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to be used for grants.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


HB 454 – Funds for Texfi Remediation Pilot

HB 454 – Funds for Texfi Remediation Pilot

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. John Szoka (R-Cumberland); Rep. William Richardson (D-Cumberland); Rep. William Brisson (R-Bladen, Sampson); Rep. Ted Davis, Jr. (R-New Hanover)

Summary

This bill appropriates $440K for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management to be used to engage a consultant selected by the Fayetteville Public Works Commission to perform pilot testing of In Situ Enhanced Reductive Dechlorination using Zero-Valent Iron and Carbon Substrate as a remedial strategy to address contamination at the Texfi site in Cumberland County.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


HB 453 – Human Life Non-Discrimination Act/No Eugenics

HB 453 – Human Life Non-Discrimination Act/No Eugenics

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Pat McElraft (R-Carteret, Jones); Rep. John Bradford, III (R-Mecklenburg); Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus); Rep. Dean Arp (R-Union)

Summary

This bill:

  • Defines conception as the fusion of human spermatozoon with a human ovum.
  • Prohibits abortion unless the physician who is scheduled to perform the abortion confirms before the procedure that the woman is not seeking an abortion due to either 1) the actual or presumed race of the unborn child, 2) the sex of the unborn child, or 3) the presence or presumed presence of Down syndrome.
  • Requires physicians who advise, procure, or cause a miscarriage or abortion after the 16th week of a woman's pregnancy to report to DHHS whether the race, sex, or presence or presumption of Down syndrome in the unborn child had been detected prior to the abortion by any type of genetic testing or ultrasound, or by any other form of testing.
  • Requires physicians to provide a signature attesting under oath that the information contained in the report to DHHS is true and correct to the best of the physician’s knowledge.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


HB 447 – The Jeff Rieg Law/Patients Religious Rights

HB 447 – The Jeff Rieg Law/Patients Religious Rights

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort, Craven); Rep. Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico); Rep. Jeffrey Elmore (R-Alexander, Wilkes); Rep. Julia Howard (R-Davie, Rowan)

Summary

This bill requires hospitals to allow clergy members to visit admitted patients, including admissions during a declared disaster or emergency. This bill also permits hospitals to require clergy members to submit to health screenings and allows hospitals to restrict access to those who do not pass the screening.

Movement

Filed – 3/30/2021


HB 445 – School Calendar Flexibility/Chatham County

HB 445 – School Calendar Flexibility/Chatham County

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Robert Reives, II (D-Chatham, Durham)

Summary

This bill allows a local board of education for Chatham County Schools to align the calendar of schools in the local school administrative unit with the calendar of a community college serving the city or county in which the unit is located.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


HB 444 – PFAS Mitigation Measures Cost Reimbursement

HB 444 – PFAS Mitigation Measures Cost Reimbursement

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover); Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford); Rep. William Richardson (D-Cumberland); Rep. John Autry (D-Mecklenburg)

Summary

This bill:

  • Changes the requirements related to the discharge or release of industrial waste that includes PFAS under GS 143-215.2A.
  • Authorizes the Secretary of Environmental Quality to order any person found to be responsible for the discharge or release of industrial waste that includes PFAS that results in the contamination of a water source supplying a public water system to pay any actual and necessary costs incurred by a public water system to remove, correct, or abate any adverse effects upon the water supply resulting from the contamination for which the person is responsible.
  • Requires a public water system to reimburse ratepayers through a reduction in future rates if the system has expended funds and charged ratepayers to remove, correct, or abate any adverse effects resulting from PFAS contamination which have subsequently been reimbursed by the person responsible for the contamination as the result of an order.
  • Sets out a nonexhaustive list of PFAS compounds.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


HB 440 – Add Veterans Treatment Court in Judicial District 4

HB 440 – Add Veterans Treatment Court in Judicial District 4

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. George Cleveland (R-Onslow); Rep. Phil Shepard (R-Onslow)

Summary

This bill establishes a Veterans Treatment Court in the Fourth Judicial District and outlines the court’s goals as follows: 1) reduce alcoholism and other drug dependencies and to provide effective treatment of co-occurring mental health issues among program participants; 2) reduce criminal recidivism; 3) reduce the alcohol-related and other drug-related court workload; 4) provide accountability for program participants; and 5) promote effective interaction and use of resources among criminal justice personnel, the VA and advocacy personnel, and community services.

This bill also requires the court to order the defendant to participate in one or more of the following services under the program: 1) mental health services; 2) drug treatment services; 3) alcohol treatment services; and/or 4) other services designed to address the specialized problems faced by veterans.

This bill appropriates $100K to the Administrative Office of the Courts in recurring funds in each year of the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to be used to fund a coordinator position to run the program.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021

 


HB 436 – Support Law Enforcement Mental Health

HB 436 – Support Law Enforcement Mental Health

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus); Rep. John Szoka (R-Cumberland); Rep. Howard Hunter, III (D-Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank)

Summary

This bill:

  • Requires the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission to administer a psychological screening examination prior to certification or employment to determine an officer’s mental and emotional suitability to properly fulfill the responsibilities of an officer.
  • Adds education and training to develop knowledge and increase awareness of effective mental health and wellness strategies for criminal justice officers to the required minimum educational and training standards that must be met in order to qualify for entry level employment and retention as a criminal justice officer.
  • Adds training to develop knowledge and increase awareness of effective mental health and wellness strategies for criminal justice officers to the minimum standards for in-service training for criminal justice officers.
  • Encourages the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the NC Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission to adopt standards that provide training conducted by mental health professional and through in-person instruction when developing requires standards and training.
  • Requires both Commissions to regularly provide information on any statewide mental health resources specifically available to criminal justice officers or justice officers to all criminal justice agencies or departments in the State that employ officers certified by either Commission.
  • Requires criminal justice agencies or departments in the State that employ criminal justice officers certified by either Commission to coordinate with the appropriate LME/MCO or prepaid health plan to make information on State and local mental health resources and programs easily available to all employees.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


HB 434 – Reflexology Regulation Act

HB 434 – Reflexology Regulation Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan); Rep. Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance)

Summary

This bill enacts a new Article governing the practice of Reflexology. This bill also:

  • Defines “reflexology” as “a protocol of manual techniques, including thumb-and finger-walking, hook and backup and rotating-on-a-point, that are applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands and that stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems and support the body’s efforts to function optimally.”
  • States that compensation for reflexology services may be received only be a certified reflexologist, unless the provider is a student in a nationally recognized reflexology education program or holds a certification of completion from an education program completed no more than 6 months prior to receiving compensation for reflexology services.
  • Requires a provider of reflexology services to prominently displace his or her certification at their main place of business or have it available on his or her person when providing services as a different location.
  • Requires public advertising designed to attract clients for reflexology services to identify that the services will be performed by a certified reflexologist and must include the name of the certifying entity.
  • States that the Article will not apply to an individual who may apply pressure to the reflex areas on the hands, feed, and outer ears in the regular course of that individual’s work, so long as 1) the individual is licensed in the State as a massage therapist, physician, chiropractor, acupuncturist, physical therapist, cosmetologist, registered nurse, or as a member of other professions licensed by the state and 2) the application of pressure to the reflex areas accounts for 25% or less of that person’s work.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


HB 433 – Funds/Belews Lake Regional Park

HB 433 – Funds/Belews Lake Regional Park

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Kyle Hall (R-Rockingham, Stokes, Surry); Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford); Rep. John Faircloth (R-Guilford)

Summary

This bill appropriates $3M in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to Forsyth County for development of the Belews Lake Regional Park.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


HB 431 – Funds for Soil/Water Conservation Programs

HB 431 – Funds for Soil/Water Conservation Programs

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Jeffrey McNeely (R-Iredell); Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin, Onslow); Rep. Pat Hurley (R-Randolph); Rep. Howard Penny, Jr. (R-Harnett)

Summary

This bill establishes the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program, a program supervised and administered by the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to assist eligible grantees protect and restore drainage infrastructure integrity through routine maintenance to existing streams and drainage ways by removing blockages caused by accumulated debris or sediment.

This bill also establishes Commission duties under the Program, including 1) establishing criteria to allocate funds to eligible grantees, 2) developing a process for soliciting and reviewing applications and for selecting applicants to participate in the program, and 3) adopting temporary and permanent rules as necessary to implement the Program.

This bill also appropriates $1.5M in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to support the Community Conservation Assistance Program.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


SB 387 – Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021

SB 387 – Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Phil Berger (R-Caswell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry); Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes); Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover)

Summary

This bill establishes the Early Literacy Program within the Department of Public Instruction and states that DPI, in consultation with DHHS, must use the Program to build strong foundational early literacy skills utilizing the Science of Reading for children in the NC Pre-K program.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


SB 386 – Expand Workforce Housing

SB 386 – Expand Workforce Housing

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Kirk deViere (D-Cumberland); Sen. Michael Garrett (D-Guilford); Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham)

Summary

This bill:

  • Appropriates $30M in nonrecurring funds to the NC Housing Trust Fund to be used in accordance with the purposes in the North Carolina Housing Trust and Oil Overcharge Act.
  • Requires 1.5% of certain fees collected by the register of deeds to be remitted to the State Treasurer to be credited to the Housing Trust Fund.
  • Requires 33% of the proceeds from a county’s excise tax on instruments conveying real property that are to be remitted to the Department of Revenue to be credited to the NC Housing Trust Fund.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


SB 380 – Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

SB 380 – Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne); Sen. Kirk deViere (D-Cumberland); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth)

 

Summary

This bill enacts new Article 1M, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. This bill also:

  • States that the purpose of the Compact is to strengthen access to health care, develop a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing and regulatory authority of state medical boards, and to provide a streamlined process to allow physicians to become licensed in multiple states, thereby enhancing the portability of a medical license and ensuring patient safety.
  • Sets out a series of defined terms.
  • Establishes eligibility requirements for physicians seeking licensure through the Compact.
  • Establishes application procedures for a physician seeking licensure through the Compact.
  • Establishes the renewal process for a physician seeking to renew licensure through the Compact.
  • Establishes the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission as a joint public agency created by member states and provides details regarding Commission membership, voting, meetings, powers and duties, executive committee, and recordkeeping.
  • Provides for Commission rulemaking procedures.
  • Provides dispute resolution procedures between member states and Compact enforcement.
  • Requires the Commission to establish a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse, action, and investigative information on all licensed individuals and applicants in member states.
  • Establishes procedures for disciplinary actions and deems any disciplinary action taken by any member board against a physician licensed through the Compact to be unprofessional conduct subject to disciple by other boards in addition to violation of the medical practice act or regulations in the state.
  • Requires licensure status following disciplinary action to be automatically mirrored by member states who have issued licenses to the physician with each member state maintaining individual reinstatement procedures following reinstatement of the principle state of licensure.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


SB 375 – CADC Supervision Reqs

SB 375 – CADC Supervision Reqs

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Norman Sanderson (R-Carteret, Craven, Pamlico)

Summary

This bill decreases the required supervision ratio required for certified alcohol and drug counselors after practicing for a specified number of years, now requiring counselors to document ongoing supervision at a ratio of 1 hour of supervision to every 80 hours of practice after 2 years of practice, and 1 hour of supervision to every 160 hours after 4 years of practice (current ratio is 1 hour of supervision for every 40 hours of practice).

This bill also eliminates ongoing supervision requirements of certified criminal justice addiction professionals (current ratio is 1 hour of supervision to every 40 hours of practice).

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


SB 373 – Expand Voluntary Health Care Services

SB 373 – Expand Voluntary Health Care Services

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Mike Woodward (D-Durham, Granville, Person); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne); Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain)

Summary

This bill expands the Voluntary Health Care Services Act to include additional licensees (dental assistants, nurse practitioners, and dispensing opticians) and includes telehealth as a health care service under the Act.

The bill also clarifies that room and board or other essentials necessary during the provision of volunteer health care services does not amount to compensation.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


SB 371 – Resume Funding Adult and Pediatric TBI Pilot

SB 371 – Resume Funding Adult and Pediatric TBI Pilot

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee)

Summary

This bill requires the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services to resume the adult and pediatric traumatic brain injury pilot program and appropriates funds as follows to support the program: 1) $600K in nonrecurring funds to the Division for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to be used to pay the contracted vendor for currently unfunded costs accrued by that vendor’s continuation of the program during the 2019-2021 biennium, and 2) $300K in nonrecurring funds to the Division for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $300K in nonrecurring funds to the Division for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to be used for the program.

Movement

Filed – 3/29/2021


SB 255 – 2021 AOC Legislative Changes

SB 255 – 2021 AOC Legislative Changes

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (R-Columbus, Robeson); Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Avery, Burke, Caldwell)

Summary

This bill requires the court to reduce the oral instructions given to the jury to writing in medical malpractice cases and encourages the court to provide the jury with a written copy of the jury instructions for the jury to take into the jury room during deliberation.

This bill also requires senior resident superior court judges, in consultation with the parties to a case, to designate a specific resident judge or a specific judge assigned to hold court in the district to preside over all medical malpractice actions.

Movement

Filed – 3/11/2021

This bill was referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate on 3/15/2021, but it was withdrawn on 3/17/2021.

This bill was re-referred to the following Senate Committees:

-Judiciary

-Rules and Operations


HB 415 – Update Chiropractic Laws

HB 415 – Update Chiropractic Laws

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba); Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Terence Everitt (D-Wake); Rep. Timothy Moffitt (R-Henderson)

Summary

This bill makes several changes to the statutes regulating chiropractic licensure, including the following:

  • Adds new powers and duties of the NC State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
  • Requires licensure applicants to comply with GS 90-143, which provides definitions of chiropractic and examinations and sets out educational requirements.
  • Authorizes the Board to order that any records concerning the practice of chiropractic and relevant to a Board complaint, inquiry, or investigation be produced by the custodian of the records to the Board for inspection.
  • Requires chiropractors/establishments employing licensed chiropractors to maintain records for at least 7 years from the date the chiropractor terminates services to the patient.
  • Requires cooperation with the Board’s inquiries or record investigations.
  • Deems all records collected and compiled by or on behalf of the board public records, with redaction or patient information as appropriate.
  • Deems records connected with certification, licensure, or disciplinary matters to not be public records.
  • Adds civil penalties to authorized sanctions the Board can impose.
  • Modifies disciplinary grounds to include engaging in any act or practice violative of the statutes governing licensed chiropractors or rules and regulations adopted by the Board, or aiding, abetting, or assisting another in the violation of the same.
  • Removes the following from grounds for discipline: (1) advertising services in a false or misleading manner; (2) unethical conduct; (3) not rendering acceptable care in the practice; (4) offering to waive a patient’s obligation to pay any insurer required deductible or copayment; (5) failing to honor a patient’s request for a copy of any claim form submitted to an insurer; (6) rebating funds received from the patient’s insurer; (7) advertising any free or reduced rate service without stating the usual service fee; (8) charging an insurer or third party a fee greater than the fee charged directly to patients or a fee greater than the advertised fee; (9) violating statutory law concerning collection or prohibited fees and/or statutory law concerning licensure limitations; and (10) committing an act demonstrating a lack of good moral character which would have been the basis of denying a license if committed before licensed.
  • Repeals GS 90-154.1, which governs prohibited practices related to fee collection.
  • Repeals GS 90-154.4, which prohibits chiropractors from offering enticements under certain conditions and prohibits certain specified marketing practices.
  • Modifies GS 90-154.3, which concerns the acceptable care in the practice of chiropractic, by removing the parameters provided for the Board in adopting rules that establish and define standards of acceptable care. Removed parameters include: (1) examination and diagnosis; (2) the use of chiropractic adjustive procedures; (3) physiological therapeutic agents; (4) diagnostic radiology; (5) the maintenance of patient records and (6) sanitation, safety, and the adequacy of clinical equipment.
  • Removes language stating that the standard of acceptable care shall be the usual and customary method as taught in the majority of recognized chiropractic colleges if the Board has not defined a standard of acceptable care by rule.

Movement

Filed – 3/25/2021


Governor’s Budget Proposal

The Governor released his budget proposal to the NCGA on March 24, 2021.

Here is a link to a general overview of all of the budget allocations.

Here is a link to the presentation made to the NCGA Joint Appropriations Committee by the State Budget Director.

Highlights from provisions related to Health and Human Services include:

Division of Aging and Adult Services

  • Provides $2M in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $2M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to support aging and adult services by increasing the state’s supplement in the Home and Community Care Block, which funds services for older adults and their caregivers across the state.
  • Provides $3,585,000 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $3,585,000 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to increase the state’s investment in nutrition services for older adults.
  • Provides $6,250,000 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $6,250,000 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23to support Key Rental Assistance, which provides supportive house programs for people who are low income and/or disables and in need of affordable housing.
  • Provides $1,500,000 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $1,500,000 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to establish an Adult Protective Services Essential Services Fund to provide services such as caregiver support, housing improvements, transportation, and adult day/health care to individuals ages 18 and over.

Division of Social Services

  • Provides $1,550,000 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $21,550,000 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund 15 new positions to provide support, training, and technical assistance to counties under the regional support model and to staff a Child Protective Services technical hotline.
  • Provides $6M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $6M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2022-23 to help the state and counties with the estimated federal revenue loss resulting from the reduced reimbursement for children in congregate care settings received under the Family First Prevention Services Act.
  • Provides $8.5M in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $10M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to address critical staffing shortages identified for local social services for Adult Protective Services and Child Protective Services.
  • Provides $190K in recurring funds in FY 2021-22, $190K in recurring funds in FY 2022-23, and $950K in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 to replace the county reimbursement system to reduce county resource time and reporting effort to allow workers to spend more time serving families.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

  • Provides $1M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 to design a supply of adaptive equipment and assistive technologies available to people with disabilities to enable them to live, work, and be educated in their communities.

Division of Central Management and Support

  • Provides $600K in recurring funds in FY 2021-22, $600K in recurring funds in FY 2022-23, and $400K in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 to establish a new Housing Coordination Office to coordinate housing programs and services across divisions and to coordinate with external partners on statewide housing issues.
  • Provides $600K in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $600K in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to support new positions in the Healthy Opportunities Office.
  • Provides $3,155,000 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $3,155,000 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund operations, maintenance, and development for critical information technology projects including security applications, independent assessments, and NC FAST Child Welfare System enhancements.
  • Provides $35,036,952 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $35,675,431 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund operations and maintenance, training, and additional technical assistance for NC FAST Child Welfare System enhancements.
  • Provides funding to modernize NC FAST through cloud-based computing solutions and development of a document management system to enhance program integrity.
  • Authorizes the use of receipts for the NC FAST Child Welfare System.
  • Authorizes the use of receipts for NC FAST Infrastructure Modernization

Division of Child Development and Early Education

  • Incrementally increases the NC Pre-K slot reimbursement rates by investing lottery receipts of $22.75M in FY 2021-22 and $27.55M in FY 2022-23.
  • Incrementally expands slot allocation in the second year of the biennium by investing $9.75M in lottery receipts.
  • Provides $10M in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $26M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to provide funding for and expand statewide participation in the Child Care WAGE$ program which provides educational attainment-based salary supplements for early childhood educators.
  • Invests $20M in lottery receipts to Smart Start to expand statewide access.
  • Provides $10M in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $10M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund approximately 1,700 additional slots for child care subsidy payments for children from low-income working families.
  • Provides $500K in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $1M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund an initiative to decrease the impact of implicit bias on children of color and children with disabilities.

Division of Public Health

  • Provides $845K in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $845K in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to expand the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities to increase efforts to eliminate health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations in NC.
  • Provides $8,150,000 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $10,250,000 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to increase funding for individualized early intervention services and supports to families with children birth to age 3 with developmental delays and established medical conditions currently eligible for the NC Infant Toddler Program.

Division of Health Benefits

  • Provides a recommendation to expand Medicaid eligibility beginning October 1, 2021 to provide healthcare access for more than 600,000 North Carolinians, prevent rural hospital closure, reduce the number of uninsured veterans, help respond to the opioid epidemic, and secure NC’s share of federal resources of over $5 billion in direct investment. The American Rescue Plan of 2021 provides an additional $1.7 billion in federal funds through Medicaid expansion over two years, of which $400M would support health initiatives designed to increase mental health and telehealth access and programs to support workforce development and Medicaid beneficiary transitions to employer or other private coverage options.
  • Provides in $255,944,748 recurring funds in FY 2021-22, $614,222,759 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23, and $187,566,506 in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 to provide funds to reflect changes in the federal medical assistance percentage, as well as changes in enrollment, utilization, costs, rates, and services association with the Medicaid program.
  • Provides in $26,611,829 recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $30,741,972 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to support the transition and implementation of Medicaid Transformation.
  • Provides $150M in nonrecurring funds for FY 2021-22 for the runout of Medicaid and NC Health Choice fee-for-service claims associated with beneficiaries who have moved to managed care.
  • Provides $64M nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $64M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2022-23 for implementation of Tailored Plan Care Management provided by a Tailored Plan, Advanced Medical Home, or Care Management Agency.
  • Provides $600K in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $600K in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to support Healthy Opportunities Pilot initiatives to test the impact of health outcomes and health care costs of integrating and financing evidence-based non-medical services into the delivery of Medicaid in up to three pilot regions.
  • Provides $10,998,549 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $10,998,549 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to support the increased contractual costs for NC Tracks operations and maintenance functions.
  • Provides $314,080 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $314,080 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to support recurring operations and maintenance costs for the electronic vendor verification system to support services requiring an in-home visit by providers.
  • Provides $10,093,200 recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $13, 457,600 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund an additional 520 slots for the NC Innovations waiver, which provides individualized services in the home and community to individuals who qualify for institutional level care due to intellectual or developmental disabilities.
  • Provides $1M in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $1M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund an additional 114 slots for the Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults waiver, which provides individualized services in the home and community for Medicaid beneficiaries who are medically fragile and at risk for institutionalization.
  • Provides $680,610 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $680,610 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to increase funding for the Transition to Community Living Initiative, which supports adults with mental illness in transitioning from institutions to community care settings.
  • Provides $4.25M in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $4.25M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund additional assessment services for the individuals served through the Community Alternatives Program for Children.
  • Provides $20M in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $25M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund the beginning phase of a multi-year initiative to stabilize the long-term care workforce by increasing wages to support recruitment and retention of highly qualified direct care workers.

Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services

  • Provides $15,077,155 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $15,077,155 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund the completion of the phased-in implementation of the Transitions to Community Living Initiative and expand the number of individuals transitioning into housing slots, increase the number of referrals to supported employment, and serve more individuals in Assertive Community Treatment.
  • Provides $4,604,182 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $$,604,182 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to expand funding for Mental Health First Aid training to identify mental health and substance use disorders and connect individuals with resources and supports.
  • Provides $1.95M in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $1.95M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 to support Mobile Crisis Management services to decrease wait times, enhance family engagement, and provide stabilization services up to four weeks post-acute crisis event to better connect children to behavioral health services.
  • Provides $10.9M in recurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $20M in recurring funds in FY 2022-23 for technology upgrades and electronical health record system development at State Psychiatric Hospitals, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers, and other state-operated health care facilities to enhance services and patient safety.

Other pertinent provisions include:

Department of Public Instruction

  • Provides $1.5M in recurring funds for FY 2021-22 and $6M in recurring funds for FY 2022-23 to establish a pilot grant program designed to support high poverty schools that adopt a community schools or other evidence-based model to address barriers to learning. Funding would provide for up to 97 new full-time positions.
  • Provides $3.9M in recurring funds for FY 2022-23 to reduce the co-pays for students eligible for reduced price lunches in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
  • Provides $250K in recurring funds for FY 2021-22 and $250K in recurring funds for FY 2022-23 to expand the NC Preschool Pyramid PreK/Kindergarten Social Emotional Learning model to low-performing and/or underfunded LEAs.
  • Provides $5,150,000 in recurring funds for FY 2022-23 to address a shortfall in program funding for the E-Rate program, which helps provides public school classrooms with wireless access through fiber-based broadband internet.

 UNC System Office

  • Provides $500,000 for FY 2021-22 to provide advance planning funds for a new Institute for Health Disparities at Winston Salem Statue University.
  • Provides $4.6M in recurring funds for FY 2021-22 and $4.6M in recurring funds for FY 2022-23 to support the UNC Mountain Area Health Education Center.

NC Housing Finance Agency

  • Increases the annual appropriation ($7,660,000 in recurring funds for FY 2021-22 and $7,660,00 in recurring funds for FY 2022-23) for the Housing Trust Fund, the State’s most flexible source of money for affordable housing.

Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

  • Provides $100K in recurring funds for FY 2021-22 and $100K in recurring funds for FY 2022-23 to create a suicide prevention program for active duty military and veteran in the State.

Department of Administration

  • Provides $775K in recurring funds for FY 2021-22, $775K in recurring funds for FY 2022-23, and $2M in nonrecurring funds for FY 2021-22 to provides grant funds for eligible domestic violence agencies, the NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, eligible sexual assault agencies, and the NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
  • Provides $500K in recurring funds for FY 2021-22, $500K in recurring funds for FY 2022-23, and $175K in nonrecurring funds for FY 2021-22 to fund the Small Business Enterprise Program and the implementation of additional recommendations from the Disparity Study to help the State address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color.

Department of Information Technology

  • Invests settlement funds from the Dish Network lawsuit in a distance-learning package that supports subscription payments for schools that have issued students hot spots and other devises using CARES Act funds but were prohibited from using those funds for monthly fees, classroom technology upgrades, digital literacy and equity projects, and other innovative solutions designed to increase student internet connectivity.

Department of Public Safety

  • Provides $1,309,211 in recurring funds in FY 2021-22, 1,871,711 in recurring funds in FY 2022-23, $299,562 in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $5K in nonrecurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund additional re-entry probation and parole officers to provide transition planning to offenders for release from custody and one Parole Case Analyst to perform an evidence-based risk assessment on post-release/supervision cases to ensure offenders are matched with appropriate community resources.
  • Provides $1M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 to fund community violence prevention grants, which will be awarded to community and healthcare organizations that approach violence as a public health issue.

Department of Environmental Quality

  • Provides $24M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $6M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2022-23 to local governments statewide to achieve their sustainability goals through planning and implementation of clean energy and clean transportation projects that equitably advance energy efficiency, renewable energy, vehicle electrification and related priorities.
  • Provides $15M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $5M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2022-23 to fund a grant program for school districts to implement energy efficiency and clean energy projects to provide a healthier, safer, and more cost-effective learning environment.
  • Provides $15M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2021-22 and $9M in nonrecurring funds in FY 2022-23 to expand access to clean energy and energy improvements in low-income households.

Capital Improvements

  • Authorizes $229,000,000 in nonrecurring funds in General Obligation Bonds, subject to a vote of the people, to construct a new Administrative Complex for DHHS on Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh.
  • Authorizes$60,275,0000 in nonrecurring funds in General Obligation Bonds, subject to a vote of the people, to fund major renovations at the J. Iverson Riddle Development Center.
  • Authorizes $20,808,0000 in nonrecurring funds in General Obligation Bonds, subject to a vote of the people, to fund major renovations at the Black Mountain Neuro-medical Center.
  • Authorizes $50,904,000 in nonrecurring funds in General Obligation Bonds, subject to a vote of the people, to fund major renovations at the Murdoch Developmental Center.
  • Authorizes $23,833,800 in nonrecurring funds in General Obligation Bonds, subject to a vote of the people, to fund major renovations at the O’Berry Neuro-medical Center.
  • Authorizes $187,000,000 in nonrecurring funds in General Obligation Bonds, subject to a vote of the people, to fund the construction of a new School of Medicine to replace the existing Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
  • Authorizes $67,500,000 in nonrecurring funds in General Obligation Bonds, subject to a vote of the people, to fund the construction of a new School of Health Services to expand health services education in rural NC at UNC-Pembroke.
  • Provides $14,100,000 in nonrecurring funds for major renovations of the facilities at the Longleaf Nero-medical Center.
  • Provides $6,697,300 in nonrecurring planning funds for the renovation of facilities at the J. Iverson Riddle Development Center.
  • Provides $2,312,000 in nonrecurring planning funds for the renovation of facilities at the Black Mountain Neuro-medical Center.
  • Provides $5,656,000 in nonrecurring planning funds for renovations of the facilities at the Murdoch Development Center
  • Provides $2,648,000 in nonrecurring planning funds for the renovation of facilities at the O’Berry Neuro-medical Center.
  • Provides $4,492,000 in nonrecurring funding for building upgrades for the dorms at the Julian Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center.
  • Provides $9,000,000 in nonrecurring funds to expand TROSA into the Triad area to provide substance abuse disorder treatment and counseling, and to help participants learn work skills and find employment.
  • Provides $28,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for the planning and initial construction of a new School of Medicine to replace the existing Brody School of Medicine at ECU.

HB 427 – Firearm Safe Storage Awareness Initiative

HB 427 – Firearm Safe Storage Awareness Initiative

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico); Rep. Jerry Carter (R-Rockingham); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly); Rep. Carson Smith (R-Columbus, Pender)

Summary

This bill requires DHHS to take the following actions related to firearm safe storage awareness:

  • Launch a two-year statewide firearm safe storage awareness initiative to educate the public about the importance of the safe storage of firearms and to facilitate the distribution of gun locks.
  • Develop a website to provide information and a toolkit of resources to the public related to the initiative.
  • Develop and implement an outreach process for disseminating information and resources related to the initiative to the public and local communities.
  • Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services regarding DHHS’ progress with the initiative no later than September 1, 2022.

This bill also prohibits the initiative from being used to advocate, promote, or lobby for the creation of new, or the revision of existing, laws regulating firearms.

This bill appropriates $86,500 in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and the sum of $69,200 in nonrecurring funds from the 2022-2023 fiscal year to DHHS to be used to cover the costs of launching the initiative, including the purchase and distribution of gun locks.

Movement

Filed – 3/25/2021

 


SB 365 – Open Venues for Receptions and Parties

SB 365 – Open Venues for Receptions and Parties

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Ted Alexander (R-Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne); Sen. Todd Johnson (R-Union)

Summary

This bill allows meeting spaces, venues, and entertainment venues to open and resume operations provided certain specified requirements are followed.

Movement

Filed – 3/25/2021


SB 359/HB 420 – K-3 Reading and Literacy Improvement Act

SB 359/HB 420 – K-3 Reading and Literacy Improvement Act

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Wiley Nickel (D-Wake); Sen. Valerie Foushee (D-Chatham, Orange); Sen. Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford)

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Rachel Hunt (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Amber Baker (D-Forsyth); Rep. Terry Brown, Jr. (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Linda Cooper-Suggs (D-Wilson)

Summary

This bill appropriates $271M for the 2021-2022 fiscal year in recurring additional funds to be allocated to local school administrative units to increase the numbers of teacher assistants in kindergarten through third grade classrooms.

Movement

SB 359

Filed – 3/25/2021

HB 420

Filed – 3/25/2021


HB 410/SB 309 – Repeal Certificate of Need Laws

HB 410/SB 309 – Repeal Certificate of Need Laws

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Yancey); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee)

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort, Craven); Rep. Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico); Rep. Edward Goodwin (R-Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Perquimans, Tyrell, Washington); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly)

Summary

This bill repeals GS Chapter 131E, Article 9 (Certificate of Need) and makes other conforming changes effective January 1, 2022.

Movement

SB 309

Filed – 03/16/2021

This bill was referred to the following Senate Committees:

-Rules and Operations

HB 410

Filed – 3/25/2021


SB 356 – Permanency Innovation Initiative/Funds

SB 356 – Permanency Innovation Initiative/Funds

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth)

Summary

This bill appropriates $2,250,000 in recurring funds for each year of the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to DHHS to provide additional funds for the Permanency Innovation Initiative Fund.

Movement

Filed – 3/25/2021

 


SB 350/HB 389 – North Carolina Innovations Waiver Act of 2021

SB 350/HB 389 – North Carolina Innovations Waiver Act of 2021

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. John Bradford, III (R-Mecklenburg)

Summary

This bill appropriates $11,301,000 in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $26,243,000 in recurring funds for 2022-2023 fiscal year to the Division of Health Benefits to be used to increase the number of NC Innovation Waiver slots and provide a match for $27,334,000 and $54,880,000 in federal recurring funds for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

This bill also directs DHB to amend the NC Innovations Waiver to increase the number of slots by 1,000 under the waiver with 1) 800 slots made available by January 1, 2022, and distributed using the allocation formula currently in place as of the date the act becomes law, and 2) 200 slots distributed as provided by the act and available January 1, 2022, unless distribution requires approval by the CMS, then the later of January 1, 2022, or the date that CMS grants or denies approval.

This bill also appropriates $13,122,000 in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to DHB for the NC Innovations Waiver, as a match for the $27,440,000 in federal recurring funds and authorizes DHB to pursue any amendment to the current NC Innovations Waiver or additional 1115(c) waivers to serve the maximum number of individuals that are on the State’s registry of unmet needs.

This bill also directs DHB to convene a group of stakeholders to develop a 10-year plan to address the registry of unmet needs for the NC Innovations Waiver.

Movement

SB 350

Filed – 3/25/2021

HB 389

Filed – 3/24/2021


SB 391/HB 383 – Medicaid Modernized Hospital Assessments

SB 391/HB 383 – Medicaid Modernized Hospital Assessments

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly)

Summary

This bill creates a revised Article 7B, Hospital Assessment Act. This Act:

  • Defines numerous terms used in the Act.
  • Requires assessments to be calculated, imposed, and due quarterly and requires payment within 7 days of the due date.
  • Establishes the actions that may be taken against hospitals owing a past-due assessment amount.
  • Permits a hospital to appeal a determination of the assessment amount through a reconsideration review.
  • Allows paid assessments to be included as allowable costs of a hospital for purposes of any applicable Medicaid reimbursement formula.

This bill also:

  • Establishes provisions for calculating the assessment imposed against public hospitals and private hospitals.
  • Requires assessment proceeds and all corresponding matching federal funds be used to make the State’s annual Medicaid payment to the State, to fund payments to hospitals made directly by the Department, to fund a portion of capitation payments to prepaid health plans attributable to hospital care, and to fund graduate medical education payments.
  • Requires DHHS to report to the General Assembly whenever DHHS is notified of a possible change in hospital status.
  • Specifies the percentages to be used in calculating the public hospital and the private hospital assessment for the quarter beginning July 1, 2021.
  • Establishes the procedures that DHHS must utilize when determining the percentages used in calculating the public hospital assessment and the private hospital assessment for the quarter beginning October 1, 2021.

Movement

SB 391

Filed – 3/30/2021

HB 383

Filed – 3/24/2021

This bill was referred to the following House Committees:

-Health

-Finance

-Rules, Calendar, and Operations


HB 396 – Address Pandemic Learning Loss/Select Systems

HB 396 – Address Pandemic Learning Loss/Select Systems

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus)

Summary

This bill allows local board of education to determine the dates of opening and closing Kannapolis City Schools and Cabarrus County Schools provided the opening date is no earlier than August 10.

This bill also permits a local board of education to administer assessments prior to the conclusion of the semester if the board has implemented a school calendar that concludes the fall semester prior to December 31.

Movement

Filed – 3/24/2021